Barnsley Council lending its support to LGBT Adoption and Fostering Week

Stephanie Bateman

Barnsley Council will be lending its support to LGBT Adoption and Fostering Week, which returns on March 6.

More LGBT adopters and foster carers are needed to provide loving, stable homes for children in Barnsley, particularly for children over four, sibling groups and children with specific healthcare needs. Some 1 in 10 adoptions in England in 2016 were to same-sex couples, but 70,000 children are in care.

Record numbers of lesbian, gay, bi and trans people now adopt and foster in the UK but with some 70,000 children in care in England alone, there is still a real need for more LGBT people to consider adoption or fostering.

Councillor Margaret Bruff, cabinet spokesperson for people (safeguarding) said: “We know from experience that LGBT people often come to adoption and fostering with an open mind and real enthusiasm, as it’s often their first choice for growing their family. Many of our children have had a very traumatic start to life, and we’ve seen them thrive with their new parents.”

Now in its sixth year, LGBT Adoption and Fostering Week is organised by New Family Social, a charity that supports LGBT adopters and foster carers across the UK. Tor Docherty, New Family Social’s Chief Executive, said: “Record numbers of LGBT people now choose to adopt or foster. But YouGov polling shows many believe they’ll be discriminated against by agencies, with eight in ten lesbian, gay and bisexual people expecting to face barriers if they apply to become foster parents. We’re delighted Barnsley Council is supporting the week and trying to encourage more LGBT people to explore adoption or foster caring.”

Barnsley Council’s Fostering and Adoption services both hold monthly information evenings, where members of staff along with carers are available to chat with in an informal setting.

The next adoption information evening is Wednesday, 15 March, 6pm to 7.30pm and the next fostering information evening is on Wednesday, 22 March, 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Both take place at Barnsley Town Hall.

More information about fostering and adoption is also available on www.barnsley.gov.uk